How do you build a modern, fire-safe home that still looks like a historic Altadena classic?
A free multi-part collaborative lecture series aims to answer that question for those rebuilding from the Eaton fire. Organized by Rebuild Altadena, Pasadena Heritage and Altadena Heritage, “Rebuilding in the Style of Altadena” offers property owners an educational framework following the January 2025 fire that destroyed more than 6,000 homes.
The program kicked off with an introductory session last month and now continues Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Pasadena Heritage’s Historic Blinn House with the architectural style-focused “What Makes a Craftsman Home a Craftsman?”
The quintessential Craftsman movement originally grew out of a rebellion against industrial-era mass production, advocating instead for a return to handcrafted details and traditional building techniques.
“It was a new idea at the time,” said Nick Giovanazzi, programs director for Pasadena Heritage. “It worked with the environment and climate. It was meant for California.”
The presentation will explore the foundational tenets of Southern California’s Craftsman movement, illustrating how modern building materials and safety regulations can successfully coexist with heritage aesthetics.
Because fire mitigation is a component of the rebuilding process, modern building elements engineered to mimic old-growth redwood are proving vital. These materials allow homeowners to create iconic features like wide eaves, exposed rafter tails and traditional siding while fully satisfying strict modern fire safety and environmental codes.
“They can be applied to new construction as well as historic frames,” Giovanazzi said. He pointed to the structural restoration of Pasadena’s landmark Duncan-Irwin House, transformed in 1906 by renowned architects Charles and Henry Greene, where experts successfully integrated composite materials to replace decaying timber elements.
While some residents have already moved into newly constructed properties, local organizers say it wasn’t just a lack of personal bandwidth that delayed the workshops. It was also a matter of respecting a community in crisis.
“Everyone working in Altadena, all of us volunteers, we’re also navigating our own recovery,” said Hans Allhoff, chair of Altadena Heritage, who lost his own home in the blaze and works in downtown Los Angeles as an attorney. “We’re honestly slammed with our own life, our own careers, our own rebuilds. A lot of us weren’t in the position one month after to really start hitting the community hard with architectural history lessons — nor would that have been our place.”
With a number of lots still sitting vacant, Allhoff noted the timing of the series comes as families finalize land decisions.
“It is true homes are being rebuilt,” he said. “It’s also true that a lot of people have not made decisions yet.”
Spearheaded by architectural historian Steve Lamb, the multi-part program features a diverse roster of regional experts.
The schedule features “What Makes a Home Spanish Style?” Oct. 4 and “Planting Native Gardens to Retain Altadena” Nov. 8, with landscape specialist Parker Davis of Hardy Californians and Plant Community LA. “The History of Modernism in Altadena” led by architectural historian Barbara Lamprecht on Dec. 6, includes a tour of local mid-century properties.
Events will be held in the historic Woodbury-Story House, except for the Craftsman event.
To sign up and find additional information, visit altadenaheritage.org and choose What We Do and Latest Events from the menu or visit Altadena Heritage and Rebuild Altadena on Instagram.